For Immediate Release

New York, NY – The National Academy of Design (NAD) is proud to announce the launch of our new online journal, NAD NOW (nadnowjournal.org). A free and globally accessible platform for American art and architecture,NAD NOW is most importantly a showcase and celebration of our National Academician members (NAs), the remarkable group of artists and architects who make up the NAD’s exclusive honor society.

“The National Academicians are an incredible wealth of inspiration, and we are thrilled to showcase their creativity, ideas, and accomplishments,” noted

Auzelle Epeneter, Director of NA Communications and NAD NOW’s editor-in-chief. “Today’s launch is just the start of an ongoing, many-layered conversation about the impact of the NAs’ work on our culture.”

NAD NOW’s content is exclusively by and about the NA members, past and present. It reflects their diverse interests and is positioned to make a significant contribution to contemporary dialogue about art and architecture.

Highlights of NAD NOW’s first release include:

An intimate conversation between architect Wendy Evans Joseph (NA 2012) and artist Alan Michelson about Studio Joseph’s exhibition design of Americans, a permanent installation at the National Museum of the American Indian.

James Siena (NA 2011) shares a new painting for “Centerfold,” a column that showcases recent works by NAs.

Director of Collections and Curatorial Affairs Diana Thompson reveals anewly restored work by Charles White (ANA 1971; NA 1974), Matriarch. The painting pictures White’s great aunt, a former slave, and was a remarkable choice for the artist to give to the NAD as his diploma portrait — a membership requirement dating back to 1839.

The launch is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more stories and the expansion of our columns in the weeks and months to come.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN

The National Academy of Design has a simple yet powerful mission, “to promote American art and architecture through exhibition and instruction.” Founded in 1825 by a group of artists that included Thomas Cole, Samuel F. B. Morse, and Asher B. Durand, the NAD is an honor society of America’s top artists and architects – the National Academicians – as well as a presenter of arts and an agent of arts education. Over the decades, the NAD has enriched and educated countless generations of artists and architects, while preserving and sharing the work of the National Academicians with the public.